Lagos: The Lagos State Government (LASG) and MTN Nigeria reiterated their commitment to sports development across the country at the MTN Champs Season 3.0 news conference in Lagos. The conference highlighted the collaborative efforts to empower youth through athletics, providing opportunities for young talents to flourish.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Mr. Lekan Fatodu, emphasized the role of sports in youth empowerment, steering young individuals away from crime. Fatodu assured that the Lagos State Government would continue to support initiatives like the MTN Champs, aligning with MTN’s efforts to empower young athletes and nurture future talents.
Fatodu highlighted the state’s focus on transforming sports infrastructure, revealing plans for athletes to compete at the Teslim Balogun Stadium soon. He praised MTN’s support for young athletes, emphasizing the need for collective energy to foster success in sports. Fatodu also addressed misconceptions about athletics, stressing its accessibility to all.
Mrs. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, elaborated on the MTN Champs platform, which aims to create opportunities for young athletes, empowering Nigerian children to realize their dreams. The third season of the event has seen participation from over 2,505 student athletes from 155 schools in Lagos and international competitors from neighboring countries.
The MTN Champs initiative, launched in 2023, seeks to build future Olympians by providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents. The event has witnessed significant growth over the past two seasons, with thousands of athletes from various secondary schools participating. The current season promises to be the most exciting yet, culminating in a grand finale in Uyo.
Mr. Bamigbola Akanni, Founder of Making of Champions (MoC), discussed the competition’s impact on the Nigerian sports scene. Represented by Country Manager Deji Ogeyingbo, Bamigbola highlighted the use of advanced technology to enhance athlete performance tracking and the positive influence on young athletes’ careers and communities.
Senior Editor at MoC, Ms. Yemi Galadima, reported a substantial increase in athlete registrations, with nearly 3,000 participants in the current season. The innovative approach of using multiple locations for the event has successfully accommodated the surge in participants, strengthening the competition’s impact on sports development in Nigeria.